Winnie Mandela has passed away at the age of 81 on Easter Monday. As one of the most vociferous fighters of apartheid, South Africa has lost a living piece of its chequered history.

Her isiXhosa name ‘Nomzamo’ translates to ‘she who tries’. We couldn’t have put it any better. Her activism and struggle for justice came at great personal costs, but her sacrifice made one of South Africa’s most important freedom fighters.

Retired South African archbishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu paid tribute to her legacy, saying she was a “deeply inspirational” person.

“She refused to be bowed by the imprisonment of her husband, the perpetual harassment of her family by security forces, detentions, bannings and banishment. Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations of activists.”

Her methods have been questioned, and her natural tenacity has certainly made her many enemies, both before and after democracy was achieved.

Over the years, many have looked towards Winnie Mandela as a source of wisdom. We’re looking at some of her greatest quotes, and the words which carried as much strength as any of her actions.

Winnie Mandela’s most famous quotes:

On the patriarchal nature of society:

“The overwhelming majority of women accept the patriarchy and protect it. Traditionally, the violated wife offloads her aggression onto the daughter-in-law. Men dominate women through the agency of women themselves.”

Her view on where the battles against apartheid were won:

“It was in the townships where we shed so much blood. Nothing could have been achieved without the sacrifice of the people. Black people.”

Winnie wasn’t afraid to call the ANC out in 2017:

“I believe something is very wrong with the history of our country, and how we have messed up the African National Congress.”

What made her who she was:

“I am a product of the masses of my country. I am the product of my enemy”.

On the extent of her own personal struggles with apartheid:

“There is nothing the apartheid government has not done to me. There isn’t any pain I haven’t known.”

Her characteristically unrepentant nature:

“I’m not sorry. I will never be sorry. I would do everything I did again if I had to. Everything.”